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Austin, Texas - Nanny & Babysitter Placement - Nanny & Babysitting JobsWed, 30 Aug 2017 00:33:15 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.3.12Taste And See Healthy Baby Foodhttp://jackandjillnanny.com/taste-see-healthy-baby-food/
http://jackandjillnanny.com/taste-see-healthy-baby-food/#commentsSun, 27 Apr 2014 17:43:18 +0000http://jackandjillnanny.com/?p=718This past month, I ran into Cheryl Carey, owner of Taste and See Healthy Baby Food, at a blogging event. Cheryl has a very down to earth personality and is very easy to talk to. It seems like we always end up at the same events around town! This month I interviewed Carey to find out more about her classes […]

This past month, I ran into Cheryl Carey, owner of Taste and See Healthy Baby Food, at a blogging event. Cheryl has a very down to earth personality and is very easy to talk to. It seems like we always end up at the same events around town! This month I interviewed Carey to find out more about her classes and baby food style! Taste & See Healthy Baby Food was founded by Cheryl Carey and Mercedes Flagmeier. Their business developed from their experience of raising their sons together. They were born less than two days apart! When the time came to introduce food to their babies, they had lots of questions and not all the answers. Together they did research about natural foods and preparation of them. They used their knowledge and experience to develop homemade baby food cooking lessons and classes for parents preparing to introduce their baby to solid foods.

What made you decide to look beyond the conventional store bought baby food products and make your own homemade foods?

I remember walking down the baby aisle at the grocery with Caleb in my arms and feeling an overwhelming commitment to provide the best foods to him. The baby food products did not appeal to me because of their color, the cost, and the two year expiration date. Not to mention the taste! I wanted Caleb to have the best foods available and began preparing homemade baby food with fresh ingredients and whole foods. There was a sense of confidence and reassurance felt when making Caleb’s foods because I selected the produce, prepared the food and I knew Caleb’s nutritional needs were being met with real food.

What kind of services do you provide?

I offer baby food classes, in-home cooking lessons and baby food chef services. The business is based on sharing lessons learned by parents, including myself with parents. www.tasteseebabyfood.com/classes

There are 3 classes offered at this time:

Homemade Baby Food – Making the Best for Your Very Best! is a class that shares the benefits of preparing your own food.

Homemade Baby Food – Fresh & Simple! is a class that answers the most commonly asked questions by parents introducing foods to their baby in the first year.

Homemade Baby Food – Shop the Market is a class that shares with the parents the produce that is in season at the local market and how to use it in making fresh homemade baby food.

There are 3 in-home lessons based on child’s age and readiness for foods – New Taste & Textures (4 to 8 Months), Beyond Purees (8 to 12 Months) and Super Eaters (12 Months and older). The in-home lessons include a comprehensive guide with recipes and lots of useful information. In addition, I prepare a 4 -6 week supply of homemade baby food with parents. The lessons can be private, couples or groups. I offer a Healthy Start Package which includes all three lessons. www.tasteseebabyfood.com/lessons

What are the advantages for a family to use your services and when should parents start using them?

There are many benefits to the services I offer – most importantly is empowering parents to prepare healthy and homemade foods for their baby. The guidance and support offered by my services can be the foundation in which the parents build on for a healthy future. Parents feel confident about their knowledge and ability to prepare foods and enjoy the experience of introducing foods so much more to their baby. The best time to participate in services is when a baby is 5 months and older.

Is making your own baby food more or less expensive than store bought baby foods?

Parents spend about $500 on baby food during their baby’s first year. Using homemade baby food can cut a family’s budget by 50% or more. As babies increase from a single feeding up to as many as three meals and snacks it will get expensive if using store bought foods! In a lesson, the parents and I make 4 to 6 weeks worth of food and fill up their freezer for less than $25.

What was one of your son’s favorite homemade baby food?

Caleb enjoyed most of the foods I introduced to him when he was baby. I think his favorite was probably baby food made with fresh apples and pears. Of course, he loved sweet potatoes.

I know that you are involved in community giving, and most recently you are working on “Gifts for Moms Benefit”, can you fill us in on what this is about?

Taste & See Healthy Baby Food is all about parents supporting parents as we raise our children. I’m excited to share about the Gifts for Moms Benefit that is happening on Saturday, May 3rd at Safari Champ from 11-2pm. The purpose of the family-friendly event is fundraising to give 75 mothers of special needs $25 gift cards for Mother’s Day. These mothers hold a special place in my heart because of the challenges they face, and more importantly their commitment to their child (ren). Taste & See Healthy Baby Food with the support of the community will be honoring these mothers. The Gifts for Moms Benefit is in support of Any Baby Can of Austin.

]]>http://jackandjillnanny.com/taste-see-healthy-baby-food/feed/0The Natural Baby Company – Austin, TXhttp://jackandjillnanny.com/natural-baby-company-austin-tx/
http://jackandjillnanny.com/natural-baby-company-austin-tx/#commentsFri, 21 Mar 2014 13:50:20 +0000http://jackandjillnanny.com/?p=626I met Whitney LeBlanc, Owner of The Natural Baby Company in Austin, TX, when I visited her amazing store on South Congress a few months ago. I was very impressed by the vast array of toys/baby gear/clothes and the delightful ambiance of the store. While I was walking throughout the shop I knew I wanted to feature her store on my first blog post! […]

]]>I met Whitney LeBlanc, Owner of The Natural Baby Company in Austin, TX, when I visited her amazing store on South Congress a few months ago. I was very impressed by the vast array of toys/baby gear/clothes and the delightful ambiance of the store. While I was walking throughout the shop I knew I wanted to feature her store on my first blog post! Whitney and her staff are very friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to help you in your search for any product in the store. The Natural Baby Company is your one-stop-shop for all-natural baby products that you can feel good about!

1.First of all tell me a little bit about yourself and how you became associated with the Natural Baby Company?

As a mom myself, I understand how overwhelming motherhood can be for new and expecting moms. After moving back to Austin, and being a mom of a two year old, I was surprised that there were not more options to purchase eco-friendly baby items! Shopping for natural baby products can be a chore, especially when the market is flooded with non-organic, generic pink and blue disposable baby products and plastic toys. That’s why I started The Natural Baby Company – a baby wellness store featuring local and handmade eco-friendly products dedicated to helping moms raise their children in a health-conscious and earth-friendly way.

2.The baby products are described as “natural”. What does this mean and how are your products different then other baby products?

We strive to provide products that will not only reduce our carbon footprint, but also that help to increase the joy of parenthood. We have classic wooden toys, recycled plastic toys, only recyclable feeding supplies, cloth diapering options, as well as eco-friendly, local and handmade apparel. Rather than providing every product out there, we’ve tried and tested the best products and made a conscious selection, keeping a minimal offering with the ethical research done for you.

3.You have a South Austin location, are there any plans to expand in the Austin area?

Not in the immediate future, though as we see our generation of parents continue to make a more conscious move toward an eco-friendly lifestyle, we will most certainly expand with them.

4. Are there any new and innovative products at your store that you would recommend to families with babies or toddlers?

We are regularly bringing in new items that make our lives easier and more eco-conscious. One of our favorite and most recent additions is the Lobster Chair by Phil & Teds- it’s a minimalist approach to the everyday highchair, it is GREAT for travel and can easily be stored away for a second baby or for those with little household room to have a full size highchair.

5.Are there specific products that you have noticed Austin customers favor?

Actually yes- Austinites are SO proud of our city (and we are too!) that any time we are able to support a local family and bring in local products, we see the benefits from all sides.

6. The Natural Baby Company holds classes weekly for new mama’s, where can mom’s find out what is scheduled each week? What kind of classes are held?

We do hold many classes! Our Facebook page has our updated calendar, Click HERE for the link. Some of the classes we offer include: Baby Sign Language, Breastfeeding, Infant Safety and CPR, Newborn Care, Baby Food Making, and Cloth Diapering.

7. Is there any other information you would like to share with Austin moms?

As a relatively new mother myself, we realize how important it is to have a community of trusted peers who are experiencing similar events and who can be a resource for all the trials and fun that come along with the beautiful new adventure of parenthood. We are proud and excited to be one of those resources and to help connect eco-minded parents alike.